At a press conference on Friday, the minister for Finance and Economic Affairs Seedy Keita outlined The Gambia government’s official response to three separate petitions submitted by the movement Gambians Against Looted Assets (GALA). The petitions focused on corruption, public financial accountability, and the AKI incident that shocked the country in 2022.
When it comes to the petition on AKI, the Minister made a defensive but firm tone. “The President took swift action,” he declared, recalling how licences were suspended, Atlantic Pharmacy was blacklisted, and the Indian drug manufacturer, Median Pharmaceuticals, was banned from the Gambian market. He further noted that senior officials of the Medicine Control Agency (MCA) were arrested, while a police panel was set up to prevent future tragedies.
Yet for many families of the victims, these actions remain hollow without justice and compensation. “The case is still before the courts,” the minister admitted, adding that any concrete government action would depend on the ruling.
The tragedy in 2022 left Gambians outraged, after revelations that children had been given contaminated syrups imported into the country, causing fatal kidney injuries.
The minister detailed measures under way, citing
a National Medicine Quality Control Lab is nearing completion. The Medicines and Related Products Act is under review to make the MCA fully independent.
He explained that since 2023, pre-shipment testing and Good Manufacturing Practice inspections have been introduced for medicines from India, China, and Pakistan.
“Inspectors have been deployed at the Banjul seaport, airport, and border posts to curb illegal drug entry. Plans are afoot for a digital “track-and-trace” system for all pharmaceutical products across The Gambia.”
The minister ended with an appeal for unity, insisting the government was committed to transparency, accountability and healing. “Let us work together to build the future where justice prevails, where the wounds of the past are healed, and where the potentials of this nation will be realized,” he said.
